In 2023, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Morocco dominated Africa's steel industry, accounting for 88% of the continent's production.
Egypt led the charge, contributing 43% of Africa's total steel output. Despite this, Africa's 23.92 million tonnes only make up 1.26% of global production.
Over the past six decades, African economies have experienced both rapid growth and severe contractions.
Nigeria and South Africa, often considered the continent’s economic heavyweights, have consistently ranked among Africa's top three economies since 1960.
North African Libya, Algeria and Egypt have also been in the top three in the period.
As of 2023, Egypt led the continent's GDP rankings.
According to 2022 and 2023 data for 40 African countries, Egypt leads in the value of manufacturing output reaching $59.6 billion in 2023 despite a 21% drop from 2022.
Nigeria follows with $55.7 billion, while South Africa comes third with $48.8 billion.
Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco have consistently led Africa's diaspora remittance, contributing 67% of the continent's total inflows since 2000.
In 2023, African nations received $94.78 billion, with Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco leading.
Here are the top ten countries since 2000.
As of 2022, Libya had the highest dentist availability in Africa.
Many top African countries have fewer than 5 dentists per 10,000 people, with several falling below 1, and Nigeria at just 0.2.
The WHO recommends at least 2 per 10,000 for adequate care.
In 2023, South Africa led Africa's exports with a value of $110.7 billion, nearly double Nigeria's $60.7 billion. Key exports include gems, vehicles, and mineral fuels.
The top 15 African exporters contribute 84% to the continent's trade, with South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt leading with a combined 52%.
Between 2005 and 2022, Cote d'Ivoire's natural rubber production grew at an average of 12% yearly, maintaining its continental dominance. With an estimated population of nearly 29 million, the West African country produced 1.286 million tonnes in 2022, 73% of the continent's output, and placed fourth globally.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's production has grown 158% since 1961, peaking at 155 thousand tonnes in 1991.
Ghana's production has grown steadily, peaking at 117 thousand tonnes in 2022. Liberia and Cameroon complete the top five in Africa as of 2022.
Côte d'Ivoire has maintained its title of Africa's largest producer of natural rubber, increasing production by an average of 13% annually. Nigeria was Africa's largest producer of natural rubber in the early 90s until Côte d'Ivoire took the top spot in 1999. As of 2022, its production capacity was 8.6x more than Nigeria's. In 2022, Côte d'Ivoire produced 1.286 million tonnes of natural rubber; Nigeria and Ghana followed with 149.4 thousand tonnes and 117 thousand tonnes, respectively.
South Africa and Egypt generated 239 terawatt-hours (TWh) and 201 TWh of electricity, respectively, in 2022, accounting for a combined 50% of Africa's 881 TWh. These countries, along with Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria, accounted for 68% of the continent's total.
Despite being one of Africa's largest economies and having the continent's largest population, Nigeria's electricity generation has historically been lower than its potential.
In 2022, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, and Morocco collectively consumed an average of 2.712 million barrels of oil per day (Mb/d), 61% of the continent's daily oil consumption (4.478 Mb/d). African countries consumed 4.7% of the global usage (99.8 Mb/d).
Egypt used the most (850.5 thousand barrels per day (Kb/d)), followed by South Africa (601.2 Kb/d) and Nigeria (514.5 Kb/d).
